JOHN Cleese’s comments on Twitter have led to a backlash and accusations that what he said was racist.
Here's everything you need to know about what he said and the celebrities who have criticised him.
What did John Cleese say that’s caused such anger?
John Cleese wrote to his 5.6 million followers that friends had confirmed his previous opinion that London was no longer English.
He also noted the city's strong pro-Remain stance in the Brexit referendum.
"Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more,” he tweeted.
"Since then, virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation.
"So there must be some truth in it…
"I note also that London was the UK city that voted most strongly to remain in the EU."
Why have celebs spoken out?
His post drew a strong reaction from users condemning his comments, and questioning what it meant for a city to be English.
Celebs joined the many others who pointed out that the comedian now lives in the Caribbean.
Author Caitlin Moran was among the people commenting on his post, writing in response to his tweet: "John Cleese is in the process of moving to Nevis, in the Caribbean.
“I hope there's a (sic) old Nevisian comedian ready to moan about how Charlestown won't 'really be a Nevisian town any more.' Goddamn immigrants."
Sherlock star Amanda Abbington tweeted: "What's happened to John Cleese…?"
TV presenter Rick Edwards wrote: "Just when you think you can't love John Cleese any more!! It turns out you can't.
Comedian Dom Joly, 51, also criticised Cleese’s tweet and accused the former Monty Python star of making racist comments.
“John Cleese is one of my comedy heroes … Suddenly this thing came out of nowhere and it’s so depressing on so many levels,” he wrote.
“He’s clearly a really smart funny man but it is basically a very racist tweet. Secondly, it’s a racist tweet by a man who lives on a Caribbean island – the irony of that is insane.”
The Mayor of London said that Cleese is acting as if still inhabiting his famous Fawlty Towers character Basil Fawlty.
Sadiq Khan said: "These comments make John Cleese sound like he's in character as Basil Fawlty.
"Londoners know that our diversity is our greatest strength.
"We are proudly the English capital, a European city and a global hub."
Representatives of Cleese have been contacted for comment on the online backlash.
Did John Cleese defend himself?
Following backlash online, Cleese defended his stance in a series of follow-up tweets.
Cleese, who last year moved to the Caribbean island of Nevis, wrote: "It might interest those people who seem to think my remarks about London are racist as opposed to culturalist, to consider that what I like about spending time in Nevis.
"Nevis has excellent race relations, a very well educated population, no sign of political correctness."
He added: "And the icing on the cake is that Nevis is not the world centre for Russian dirty money laundering".
Culturalist can be defined as someone who "emphasises the importance of culture in determining individual behaviour and the way in which society functions".
However, it can also have negative connotations where it appears a person advocates for their own culture and excludes another.
Responding to comments that "you aren't allowed to prefer one culture over another", Cleese added: "I think it's legitimate to prefer one culture to another.
"For example, I prefer cultures that do not tolerate female genital mutilation.
"Will this will be considered racist by all those who hover, eagerly hoping that someone will offend them – on someone else's behalf, naturally".
Who is John Cleese?
Cleese is an actor, comedian and producer famed for being in Monty Python and Fawlty Towers.
He played politically incorrect Basil Fawlty in the hotel sitcom.
His character bullies his Spanish waiter Manuel and hates dealing with the public – despite being the face of the hotel.
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